Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:10-12).
We are in a war. Brothers and sisters, we are in a war whether we like it or not. I am not talking about the war in Iraq or Afghanistan. I am talking about the war in our heart and for our hearts. When we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we were enlisted into the army of God (Read: Timothy 2:3-4 and Revelation 19:11-21). This war is more real than what we see in the daily news. How do we know this? We walk by faith not by sight (Read: 2 Corinthians 5:7). Therefore, as believers, we deem the unseen (the spirit world) as the true reality.
The Enemy’s Weaknesses. We know the strengths of our enemy (the devil); but do we know his weaknesses? First, the devil needs permission. In the book of Job we learn that before he could tempt Job (Job belonged to God), he had to ask permission from God. (Read: Job 1 and 2). Second, the devil is not omnipresent. And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, from going to and fro in the earth, and from waking up and down in it. Job 1:7. And thirdly, the devil is not all-knowing. Satan told the Lord that man, for the sake of his physical well being, will turn his back on God. But Job—after his children were killed, his wealth removed, his reputation tarnished, and his health taken away said this: Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither, the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord and shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 1:21 and 2:10)
Be on the offensive. Out of all the armor mentioned in Ephesians 6, we only need one offensive weapon; the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. (Eph. 6:17) How do we use the sword? Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15. Pray. Study. Meditate. Apply. These things are present in a life submitted unto God. If we do them, the enemy will have no other choice but to retreat. Submit yourselves therefore to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
Written by - Brother Mark Johnson